Gillard's father donates his body to science

JOHN Gillard, the Prime Minister's late father, has donated his body to science so students getting the kind of education he passionately believed in will learn from it.

A notice in the Adelaide Advertiser said Mr Gillard, 83, had requested no funeral service. ''John was a humble man who always sought to help others,'' the notice said. ''He died as he lived and has donated his body to science.''

Julia Gillard's late father John and mum Moria applaud their daughter. Photo: Andrew Meares

Donors usually signed a consent form many years before their death but families could override their wishes if they did not agree, said Wesley Fisk, manager of the Ray Last anatomy laboratories at the University of Adelaide.

The bodies were used ''as fully as possible'' for the study of anatomy, surgical training and research in the medical and allied health fields.

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All bodies donated in South Australia are initially stored in the University of Adelaide mortuary and may be transported from there to other universities in the state or around the country, depending on need.

Mr Gillard's decision will likely inspire others. Mr Fisk did not refer to Mr Gillard's case but, speaking generally, he said a newspaper article or radio interview on donating bodies always led to a surge in interest: ''It is amazing, the huge number of consent forms that are sent out after that.''